WINTERIZATION ADDENDUM Clause Samples

WINTERIZATION ADDENDUM. Property Address: <<Unit Address>> Each winter, Whatcom County experiences one of its famous “Northeaster” wind storms. Some renters have experienced frozen pipes and damages caused by the pipes thawing. In most cases, these problems could have been avoided by the tenant taking some simple precautions. 1. Leave your heat on a low setting – not lower than 60 degrees. If you are leaving for a period of time, have someone check in periodically to run some water out of all the pipes. During a serious cold spell, please leave water running from all faucets to ensure they do not freeze. A trickle will do. Also, keep the cupboard doors open under your sinks to keep warm airflow to that area. 2. All doors to adjoining rooms should be left open. If there is an extreme cold spell, keep heat on during the day while you are at work or away from your home. 3. Make sure that the crawl space vents on the outside of your dwelling are covered. This helps keep the cold air from getting to the pipes and keeps your floors warmer. If you live in a large apartment complex, your resident manager/property manager will take care of the vent covers. If you live in a very small complex, or a house, the whole responsibility of vent covers will be yours. It is your responsibility to keep heat on in your unit during the cold spells. Our Rental Agreement states that the tenant is expected to take care of the dwelling as if it were his/her own, and tenant is responsible for damages caused by negligence. Turning the heat completely off during a freezing spell is considered negligent. 4. Pipes in most dwellings run through walls and ceilings. If they freeze and break, damage to your personal belongings is not covered by the owner’s insurance. The Owner/Agent shall not be liable for damages either. 5. Hoses in most dwellings must be disconnected and drained. Outside faucets must be protected and drained so they will not freeze. 6. Furnace filters must be replaced, if not cleaned on a regular basis. The furnace will run with greater efficiency when it is properly maintained. If preventative steps are taken to avoid these problems during cold weather, they will provide a smooth winter and avert future repair and possible charges. By initialing below, you acknowledge and agree to the terms in Section 14. X Initial Here